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How to Treat the Preacher
1 Timothy 5:17
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."
The Book of 1 Timothy is about the position of the pastor. You will find in 1 Timothy the requirements God has set forth for the person who desires to hold the position of pastor, what He expects from the pastor, and how the church member should treat their pastor. Though preachers are men at best, the position they hold is an honorable one. God said in 1 Timothy 3:1, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." You will notice that God places the honor upon the position more than He does the man, and that is why the position is very sacred.
In 1 Timothy 5, God speaks to the church member about how they are to treat their pastor. For over 20 years I have traveled as an evangelist and have seen the good and bad of how people treat their preacher. God will hold every church member accountable for how they treat their preacher. Let me show you what the Scriptures say about how you should treat your preacher.
First, you should respect your preacher. In 1 Timothy 5:1 it says, "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;" You will notice the respect that God expects church members to give to their pastor. You are not to be demanding of a pastor, for you would not be demanding of your parents. You should give your pastor the due respect he deserves. In other words, address him properly. I believe the pastor should never be addressed by his first name. His office demands respect. Whether or not you respect the man, you should respect his office and address him properly. Respect him when you disagree with him by approaching him in a proper manner. Don't be demanding, but respectfully let him know how you disagree.
Second, pay your pastor well. You will notice in the verse above that God says that the pastor is "...worthy of double honour..." In other words, you shouldn't pay your pastor the bare bones just so he can get by, but you should pay him a worthy salary. Too many pastors barely make it financially because their church won't pay them properly. God will hold those church members accountable who don't pay their pastor a worthy salary.
Third, don't listen to unverified accusations about your pastor. In verse 19, God says the only time you receive an accusation about a pastor is when you have two witnesses. Notice it is not two people who have heard something about your pastor, but two people who have seen the pastor do wrong. Don't be caught up in destroying your pastor's name because you listened to unverified accusations.
Fourth, the pastor should be held accountable for his sin. In verse 20, when a pastor sins, and this is talking about physical improprieties, he should be publicly rebuked. Though I don't believe that church members should be publicly rebuked, I do believe that the preacher is publicly accountable. Though some may not like this, every preacher is accountable for his purity. If he abuses his position by being unfaithful to his spouse, then scripturally he should be publicly rebuked.
Last, God commands to give guarded honor to the man of God. In verse 21, God cautions about lifting one preacher higher than another. In other words, all preachers should get the same honor.
Be careful how you treat your preacher. God holds you accountable for how you treat your preacher, and likewise, holds him accountable for how he leads you.